PARAMOUNT, Los Angeles County, Calif., Sept. 25, 2026 — A three-vehicle crash blocked a lane on northbound I-710 near the Rosecrans Avenue offramp Wednesday evening, September 23, and left at least one person injured, according to the California Highway Patrol.
The crash involved a white Lexus NX, a black Ford Expedition and a black sedan, the California Highway Patrol said. It was first logged as a collision with no injuries before being upgraded, with a report of someone trapped or needing extrication, dispatch records show.
Firefighters and CHP units responded to the scene near the Rosecrans Avenue offramp, and the number one lane was blocked while crews worked. A tow was called to remove at least one vehicle from the roadway, and California Highway Patrol officers stayed on scene afterward to manage traffic.
The circumstances that led to the crash remain under review. We wish the injured a speedy recovery.
A Common Misconception About Multi-Vehicle Freeway Crashes
Many drivers assume that when three or more vehicles are involved in a crash, it must have started with one dramatic, high-speed impact. In practice, many multi-vehicle freeway collisions build up in stages: one vehicle slows or stops, a second can't react in time, and a third gets pulled into the chain reaction seconds later.
That gradual buildup doesn't make the outcome any less serious. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, an estimated 2,442,581 people were injured in traffic crashes in 2023, a number that includes the kind of chain-reaction, multi-car incidents that clog freeway lanes rather than only the single dramatic collisions people picture.
The takeaway isn't that these crashes are rare or minor. It's that the follow-on impacts, not just the first one, are often what determine whether someone walks away or needs a hospital visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is distracted driving so dangerous?
Even a few seconds looking away from the road means traveling a significant distance without seeing traffic slow down ahead, which is a common trigger for chain-reaction crashes involving multiple vehicles.
How do weather and road conditions contribute to crashes?
Wet pavement, glare, and reduced visibility all increase stopping distances and reaction times, making it harder for drivers to avoid a vehicle that has already stopped or slowed ahead of them.
What should I do immediately after a car accident?
Move to a safe location if possible, check for injuries, call 911, and exchange information with other drivers. Even if injuries seem minor, it's wise to get checked by a medical professional afterward.
Where do most traffic accidents happen?
A large share of crashes occur on busy urban roads and freeway interchanges, where merging traffic, lane changes, and sudden slowdowns create frequent opportunities for collisions.
What to Do After a Car Accident in Paramount, CA
If you're involved in a multi-vehicle crash in Paramount, try to move your vehicle out of active lanes if it's safe to do so, and turn on hazard lights to warn approaching traffic. Stay inside or near your vehicle in a protected spot instead of standing in a live lane.
Call for help right away and let responders assess everyone involved, even if you feel fine at first. Adrenaline can mask pain from injuries that show up hours or days later, so a follow-up medical check is a good idea. Keep any paperwork from police and medical providers in one place, since it can help later with insurance claims or documentation.